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Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye symptoms can significantly impact your daily life, making simple activities like reading, driving, or using digital devices uncomfortable or even painful. At Kennedy Vision Health Center, our specialized dry eye treatment protocols address both the symptoms you’re experiencing and the underlying causes of your dry eyes.

Our expert team utilizes advanced diagnostic techniques to develop personalized treatment plans that deliver lasting relief, rather than temporary fixes. We understand the frustration and discomfort that dry eye can cause, and we’re committed to helping you achieve optimal eye comfort and health.

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Understanding Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eye treatment focuses on restoring the natural balance of your tear film. This delicate system requires the right mixture of oil, water, and mucus components to lubricate and protect your eyes adequately. When any part of this system falters—whether from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), environmental factors, aging, or medication side effects—dry eye symptoms develop and can worsen over time if left untreated.

Benefits of Dry Eye Treatment

Immediate Symptom Relief

Effective dry eye treatment offers quick relief from uncomfortable symptoms, such as burning, itching, and redness. Many patients experience noticeable improvement after their first treatment session at Kennedy Vision Health Center. This immediate comfort enables you to return to your daily activities with reduced irritation and discomfort, thereby improving your quality of life from the outset. The reduction in symptoms can make a significant difference, especially if you’ve been experiencing persistent eye discomfort.

Enhanced Visual Clarity

Dry eye can significantly impact your visual acuity, causing fluctuating or blurry vision throughout the day. By stabilizing your tear film, your eyes stay hydrated and your vision remains clear, allowing for clearer and more consistent vision. This improvement is particularly valuable when performing detail-oriented tasks, driving, or working on digital devices. Many patients are surprised by how much their vision improves once their dry eye condition is properly managed.

Reduced Dependency on Artificial Tears

While over-the-counter drops provide temporary relief, comprehensive dry eye treatment addresses the underlying causes of your condition. This approach often leads to decreased reliance on frequent artificial tear use. Our patients appreciate the convenience and cost savings of not having to apply drops multiple times daily. More importantly, they benefit from treating the actual condition rather than just temporarily lubricating the eye surface.

Protection Against Corneal Damage

Untreated dry eyes can lead to corneal inflammation, abrasions, and even scarring in severe cases. Timely and appropriate treatment protects your corneal health and prevents these potential complications. This preventive aspect of dry eye treatment safeguards your long-term visual health and helps maintain the integrity of your eye’s delicate surface. Protecting your cornea now means better eye health for years to come.

Improved Contact Lens Comfort

If you wear contact lenses, dry eyes can make them uncomfortable or even unwearable. Proper dry eye treatment can make contacts more comfortable to wear, for longer. For those with severe cases, specialized options like scleral lenses help correct your vision while also soothing your eyes. Our treatments can help you continue enjoying the convenience and visual benefits of contact lenses without discomfort.

Our Dry Eye Treatment Process

Comprehensive Eye Evaluation

Your treatment begins with a thorough assessment using advanced Meibography imaging to examine your tear quality and Meibomian gland function. We will discuss your symptoms, evaluate environmental factors, and identify potential triggers affecting your eye comfort. This detailed examination allows us to pinpoint the exact type and cause of your dry eye condition.

Personalized Dry Eye Protocol

Based on your diagnostic results, we create a customized treatment plan targeting your specific dry eye challenges. Your protocol may include therapeutic gland expression, specialized eye drops, nutritional supplements like EyePromise, or scleral lenses for severe cases. We explain every step so you know exactly how it helps, and how each element addresses your unique eye health needs.

In-Office Therapeutic Procedures

Our specialized in-office treatments directly address blocked Meibomian glands and restore proper tear film composition. These gentle procedures help reestablish normal oil flow, improve tear stability, and provide immediate comfort for irritated eyes. You’ll remain comfortable throughout any treatments while we work to restore your eye’s natural moisture balance.

Home Care Instructions

You’ll receive specific guidelines for maintaining eye health between appointments, including proper eyelid hygiene techniques and environmental modifications. We recommend products specifically selected for your condition and demonstrate how to use them correctly for maximum benefit. These daily practices help extend the results of your in-office treatments and prevent symptom recurrence.

Progress Assessment

Regular follow-up visits allow us to monitor improvements in your tear film quality and Meibomian gland function. Your optometrist will adjust your treatment as needed based on your response and any changing conditions affecting your eyes. These check-ins ensure your dry eye management remains effective and your eye comfort continues to improve.

Ocular Surface Disease: Our Advanced Treatments

Dry eye syndrome is a type of ocular surface disease. This term describes problems that arise when the surface layers of the eye, like the cornea and conjunctiva, suffer damage. Dry eye disease and blepharitis are two common forms of ocular surface disease. We have innovative treatments to address ocular surface disease at the source. Our treatments use radiofrequency and intense pulsed light devices to reduce inflammation, unclog oil glands, and eliminate mites and irregular veins. If you want to learn more about our new ocular surface disease treatments, schedule a consultation with us.

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Kennedy Can Help You Get Relief From The Symptoms of Dry Eye

Our attentive team is here to ensure that you get the dry eye solutions you need by personalizing a care plan that includes lifestyle changes, eyedrops, eyelid wipes, and supplements that don’t just provide you with relief from itchy, uncomfortable symptoms: they relieve you of dry eye.

Our cutting-edge diagnostic technology can help identify one of the most common sources of dry eye disease: meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD). This condition occurs when your oil-producing glands that help lubricate your tears become clogged, preventing your eyes from staying moist. To help us know if your dry eye is being caused by MGD so we can better treat you, we’ve invested in advanced meibography which takes detailed images of your glands so we can diagnose and assess any damage.

Do you have dry eye?

You may have dry eye disease and not even know it if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Eye redness
  • Itching, stinging, and burning sensations
  • Eye fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity
  • Watery eyes
  • Difficulty using contact lenses
  • Trouble with near focus, such as when using screens or reading

You don’t have to suffer with dry eye disease–our caring professionals are here to help you find relief!

Why Choose Us for Dry Eye Treatment

At Kennedy Vision Health Center, we specialize in addressing even the most challenging dry eye cases with advanced diagnostic technology and comprehensive treatment options. We continually stay updated on the latest dry eye research and treatment modalities to provide optimal care. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all—we recognize that each patient’s dry eye condition is unique and requires individualized attention. We take the time to listen to your concerns, thoroughly explain your condition, and work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your specific needs and lifestyle.

Our patients appreciate our holistic approach, which considers your overall health, lifestyle, and environment to identify potential factors contributing to your symptoms. We’ve helped countless patients find relief when previous treatments have failed.

FAQs

What is the best treatment for severe dry eyes?

Severe dry eye typically requires a customized combination of therapies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Advanced treatments like intense pulsed light therapy, therapeutic expression of blocked glands, and specialized medications can provide relief when simpler options fall short. Finding the optimal treatment depends on identifying your specific type of dry eye through proper diagnostic testing.

Does insurance cover dry eye treatment?

Most medical insurance plans cover the diagnostic testing needed to determine the cause of your dry eye symptoms, especially when documented as medically necessary. Coverage for treatments varies widely between plans, with some covering prescription medications and procedures while others classify certain treatments as elective. Always check with your insurance provider beforehand to understand your specific coverage details and potential out-of-pocket expenses.

How long does treatment for dry eye drops last?

The effectiveness window for prescription eye drops ranges from a few hours to several days depending on the specific medication and the underlying condition being treated. Some drops provide immediate, temporary relief while others work by gradually improving your natural tear production over weeks of consistent use. Your experience may vary based on environmental factors, screen time, and whether you’re addressing the root cause of your dry eye alongside using drops.

How to prepare for dry eye treatment?

Arrive without eye makeup and bring a complete list of current medications, supplements, and eye products you use regularly. Temporarily discontinue contact lens wear for 24-48 hours prior to your appointment unless otherwise instructed by your eye care provider. Come prepared with details about when your symptoms worsen and what remedies you’ve already tried, as this information helps create your personalized treatment plan.

When do I need to get dry eye treatment?

Seek professional treatment when eye discomfort persists for more than two weeks despite using over-the-counter lubricating drops, or when symptoms interfere with daily activities like reading, driving, or computer work. Professional intervention is especially important if you experience eye pain, extreme redness, or fluctuating vision quality throughout the day. Early treatment can prevent complications and permanent damage to your eye’s surface, so don’t wait until symptoms become severe to seek help.

Refresh, Renew, Reclaim Your Vision Comfort

Imagine reading your favorite book, working on your computer, or enjoying outdoor activities without that familiar burning sensation or constant urge to rub your eyes. Dr. Kennedy and the compassionate team at Kennedy Vision Health Center are here to make that possibility your reality with personalized dry eye solutions that actually work. Call us today to schedule your consultation, or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to see how we’ve helped patients just like you rediscover the joy of comfortable vision.

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Plymouth

10600 Old County Rd 15 Plymouth, MN 55441

Phone: 763-545-8850 

Otsego

9075 Quantrelle Ave, Otsego, MN 55330

Phone: 763-441-0205

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Opening in November

15650 36th Ave N. Plymouth MN 55446

Phone: Coming Soon!

Kennedy Vision Health Center
Plymouth

10600 Old County Rd 15 Plymouth, MN 55441

Phone: 763-265-6973

Otsego

9075 Quantrelle Ave, Otsego, MN 55330

Phone: 763-316-3375

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